Hiroshima – July 25 Onomichi Sumiyoshi Fireworks Festival

Access

Using public transportation is recommended.

• Train
  • From Onomichi Station on the JR Sanyo Main Line, walk east along the waterfront street or through Onomichi Shopping Street for approximately 10 minutes～15 minutes to reach the area around the venue.
  • The area is expected to be extremely crowded on the day of the fireworks festival, so allow plenty of time. Special trains departing from and arriving at JR Onomichi Station are also scheduled to operate.
• Bus
  • If you are traveling by bus from other areas, the closest bus stop to the launch site is Nag江口.
  • If your bus does not stop at Nag江口, use Onomichi Station instead.
• Car
  • Paid parking lots in the downtown area tend to be full by around 3:00 p.m. in typical years. Please note that vehicles cannot enter or leave during the traffic restrictions (scheduled for 18:00～22:00).
  • Several free parking lots will be opened in the Higashi-Onomichi area, with paid shuttle buses operating to Nag江口 Parking Lot (approximately 20 minutes).
  • A paid parking lot requiring advance reservations will also be available at the former Kubo Elementary School grounds. The fee is 3,000 yen, and the venue is approximately a 15-minute walk away.
  • Free parking is also available in the Mukaishima area.
  • After the fireworks end, traffic in the downtown area is expected to be at its worst from before the fireworks begin until 1 hour after they finish, potentially bringing traffic to a standstill. Congestion is expected to begin easing after approximately 1 hour 30 minutes, with normal traffic conditions taking approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to return.

Reserved Seating and Tickets

The 2026 Onomichi Sumiyoshi Fireworks Festival will offer several types of reserved seating for a more comfortable viewing experience. Online sales began at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026.

• Fireworks Support Seating (around Onomichi City Hall)
  • Approximately 5,000 seats will be available on the 2nd floor and rooftop of Onomichi City Hall, as well as in the parking lot.
  • 1F Walkboard Area: Options include 2-person box seats and 4-person box seats in the frontmost area, offering an immersive view.
  • 1F Parking Area: Options include special 4-person box seats, special 6-person box seats, 4-person box seats, 6-person box seats, and considerate box seats for wheelchair users.
  • 1F City Hall Stairway Area: Special pair seats are available on the stairs, making them easy to sit in and shaded beneath the roof.
  • Rooftop Bench Seats: These are also offered as hometown tax donation gifts and can accommodate up to 4 people.
  • Prices range from 3,500 yen per person to 27,000 yen for 6 people.
  • Bringing a picnic sheet or cushion is recommended for box seats, but chairs may not be brought in.
  • If the event is canceled due to severe weather, customers who purchased online will receive a full refund excluding the system usage fee, while those who purchased at a ticket counter will be refunded the ticket price.
• Mukaishima Chuck Square (former Olympia site)
  • Reserved Box Seats (1.8m×1.8m): 15,000 yen (tax included). Each box can accommodate up to 4 people and includes 1 long table and 4 chairs.
  • Seat Only (chair seat): 3,000 yen (tax included). 1 chair is provided.
  • Dedicated restrooms and vendor stalls are available for box-seat ticket holders.
  • If the event is canceled due to severe weather, box-seat ticket holders will receive a refund of the remaining 7,000 yen after operating preparation costs are deducted; chair seats are non-refundable.
• Onomichi Royal Hotel Viewing Seat Plans
  • These special plans allow guests to watch the fireworks from inside the hotel.
  • Rooftop Chair Seats: 15,000 yen.
  • 9F PREMIUM LOUNGE Counter Seats: 20,000 yen.
  • 3F Banquet Hall (Ume): 13,000 yen.
  • 2F SUMIYOSHI Table Seats (2～6 people): 60,000 yen.
  • Some plans may include a special boxed meal.

Recommended Viewing Spots

The fireworks can generally be seen beautifully from anywhere facing the Onomichi Channel, but areas particularly close to the launch site become extremely crowded. Here are several less-known viewing spots where you can enjoy the fireworks at a more relaxed pace while avoiding the crowds.

• Senkoji Park Observation Deck From the observation deck at Senkoji Park, one of Onomichi's landmarks, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the townscape, the Onomichi Channel, and the fireworks together. It is a little farther from the launch site, but is recommended for those who want to watch the fireworks alongside a beautiful night view.
• Ekimae Ryokuka Park Located close to Onomichi Station and relatively near the launch site, this spot has few obstructions and offers a close-up view of the fireworks. It is also recommended on the official website as a good place to avoid the crowds.
• Mukaishima Shoreline (near Kaneyoshi Ferry Terminal) The fireworks are also clearly visible from Mukaishima on the opposite side of the Onomichi Channel. The area near Kaneyoshi Ferry Terminal is less crowded than the Onomichi side, making it a peaceful place to watch the show. The music accompanying the fireworks can also be heard clearly here.
• Jodoji-yama Observation Deck From the observation deck at the summit of Mount Jodoji on the eastern side of Onomichi, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city's nightscape and the fireworks. It takes around 30 minutes to walk along a promenade from Jodoji Temple, but it is especially recommended for those who are confident in their stamina. There is parking space behind the observation deck, but you will need to arrive early.
• Around Onomichi Kyorakuen and Kannonzaka Slightly away from the central waterfront street, this area offers views of fireworks rising over the Onomichi Channel if you choose your spot carefully. Some locations are prone to power lines appearing in the view, but high-altitude fireworks are clearly visible, making this a good hidden spot for avoiding the crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What happens in case of rain? A. The event will go ahead as scheduled in light rain, but it will be canceled in severe weather, such as a typhoon or strong winds, when conditions do not meet the safety standards for holding the event. Since 2025, the event has not been postponed in the event of severe weather. If the event is canceled, tickets for reserved viewing seats will be refunded, except for certain seat types.

Q. Will there be traffic restrictions? A. Traffic restrictions will be implemented around the venue on the day of the fireworks festival. As in previous years, restrictions are scheduled to be in place from around 18:00 to 22:00. If you are arriving by car, take note of the restricted hours and consider using public transportation or parking lots and shuttle buses in the Higashi-Onomichi and Mukaishima areas.

Q. Is parking available? A. Paid parking lots in the downtown area near the venue are expected to fill up early. Several free parking lots will be opened in the Higashi-Onomichi area, with paid shuttle buses operating to the venue. Free parking is also available in the Mukaishima area. A paid parking lot requiring advance reservations will also be set up at the former Kubo Elementary School grounds. For details, please check the “Parking Information” page on the official website.

Q. Can I reserve a viewing spot for the fireworks? A. At free viewing areas, you may reserve a spot from 17:00 on the day before the fireworks festival. Please keep reserved areas to the minimum necessary size. Reserving spots with large sheets, coolers, traffic cones, or similar items is prohibited. This information is current as of July 2026. Please check the official website before heading out.